Finalist Selected in Superintendent Search

The board has chosen a finalist for the district superintendent position, according to a report from the board’s June 18 meeting, but the person's name has not yet been released.

“As a result of the interviews against the criteria put forth by the employees and community, and an extensive review of their respective backgrounds, the Board is proceeding with the next step of the superintendent search process which involves a visit to the district of a finalist,” the report states.

The report – released to Patch Wednesday – states that the board interviewed five candidates in closed session on Saturday. The candidates were recommended to the board , a consultant firm hired by the district to help them find a permanent superintendent.

Superintendent Kevin Harrigan announced  in mid-April to become superintendent of the Oak Grove Union School District in Sonoma County.

Harrigan's salary was $178,833, not including benefits. It's unknown how much his successor would make.

Board President Charlie Mensinger said all of the candidates interviewed were well-qualified. Mensinger and the board's attorney have been authorized to represent the board during contract negotiations with the finalist.

“All of the candidates were extremely strong. We had a number of candidates, most of which could step into the job right now,” Mensinger said.

Soon after Harrigan resigned, a special meeting was held at a board member’s home to interview candidates.

At that meeting, staff and parents  in the search process. The board then held two meetings to gather public input and encouraged the community to email, call in and participate in surveys to share what they wanted in a superintendent.

Those comments were transformed into a that the board used during Saturday’s interviews, Mensinger said.

“We used the criteria. We had the criteria there and used the criteria provided through public comment and employee comments,” Mensinger said. “We think we have as close to a perfect match as we can get.”

The next regular school board meeting is planned for June 28.